A girl copying me at work

[Makeupaddict5]

Hey everyone,

So I’m happy I’m back to work.
Before lockdown I noticed this girl copies me at work. It’s getting uncomfortable.
I was flattered at first but now it’s weird.
It all sounds really petty. It’s almost someone is mirroring me or morphing into me and I’m genuinely freaked. Haha
Here are some ridiculous examples.

1. Copied my nail shape- she changed hers.
2. Copies my tinted lip moisturiser. Something I’ve worn over 6/8 years. I’ve never even see her wear lip moisturiser. Or whatever it’s called.
3. So I changed my make up routine at work. Yes you got it she did as well.
4. Even my snacks. She even tried to hide it.I offered to go to the shop for her as she was busy. She said no she’s only getting a food item. Guess what she end up hiding in the kitchen with lights off eating the same snack
5. I’ve had breast implant she goes on about that and my lips. She wants to do the same. It’s very subtle but I notice it.

I sound bloody mental there’s more but it’s really freaky. I’m not the most articulate so sorry if I sound nuts myself. But it’s starting to put myself in a mood. As flattery is one thing but damn right coping is weird.
Another girl noticed it at work before lockdown. I haven’t said anything and I’m keeping myself to myself but it’s very bizzare.
We all take ideas from each other I get that’s normal. I can’t explain there’s more little things like she will ask me questions but it’s more so she can get my ideas etc and then implement them with her friends outside of work pretending that’s how she conducts herself. I’m telling you it’s weird.
Now the things I have mentioned are examples. I am not a petty person myself. I love to share information I have nothing to hide. Just it’s got me questioning.

Has anyone else experienced this what have you done ?

haha

 

[Mumdrum]

Years ago I worked in London sat next to a woman, she would initially copy a jumper or blouse I bought. Then it became every single thing, bags, shoes, hairstyle, it drove me insane. I know that they say its flattering but I hated it. I was young back then and for years never said anything, now I would say stop copying me or buy some really horrible stuff for work

 

[Makeupaddict5]

Haha so freaky but literally as you described that’s what it’s like. Well I made a joke before Christmas or after Christmas and said your turning into me. Maybe I should say it again. Just I’m not naturally funny
Just it’s getting a bit weird even food snacks FFS

 

[Mumdrum]

Haha so freaky but literally as you described that’s what it’s like. Well I made a joke before Christmas or after Christmas and said your turning into me. Maybe I should say it again. Just I’m not naturally funny
Just it’s getting a bit weird even food snacks FFS
It really would wind me up, I would start wearing weird stuff just to mess with her and never say where anything is from or say harrods or Harvey Nichols dont put up with it, it's really annoying

 

[Notredamn]

How do you notice what she's wearing on her lips yet not even know the name of it? And nail shape? There are only a few available aren't there? What she eats....how does that affect you? I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a poster saying she's got a stalker

 

[Makeupaddict5]

But it’s so subtle. I won’t. But I need

How do you notice what she's wearing on her lips yet not even know the name of it? And nail shape? There are only a few available aren't there? What she eats....how does that affect you? I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a poster saying she's got a stalker

She copies the shape of my nails. She had a different one for the last few years. She kept admiring mine and copied.
Also the lip colour is because at work we leave things around. So she copied my lip tint even the exact colour by the brand. I’m scared she’s on tattle. Then pretends it’s her ideas. I’ve been wearing this tint for donkey years. I know I sound mental.

 

[bellinibobble]

Honestly I’m not sure there’s much you can do. People copy others because they are insecure in themselves.. it’s something she’d need to decide to stop doing herself I think.

Equally if you shame her behaviour by questioning it, to other people watching that might reflect more badly on you than her It’s probably not what you want to hear but other than ignoring it, I’m not sure what you can do. Other than being evasive if she asks you where your new top/nail polish/perfume is from.

 

[LittleMy]

I’d take it as a compliment. Maybe she just genuinely likes your style or wants to fit in.

Come back when she starts encroaching on your life/trying to steal your partner etc.

 

[ikayimonoko]

I had this at work.

She got her hair dyed and cut to be like mine
Used the same dress maker and makeup artist as me for her wedding
Bought the same bag 10 mins after I had on my lunch break!
Bought all the same clothes as me or if not exactly the same, near enough
Convinced her husband to sell their house and move to the town I live in, 2 roads away

Not much I could do about it, spoke to HR informally once as it was making me so uncomfortable but they were useless

 

[Makeupaddict5]

Wow she’s obsessed with you on another level. What happened after you spoke to HR ?
To think she sold their house to live near you. That’s beyond creepy.
I feel blessed now

 

[gigi_772]

I had the same, eventually just stopped buying stuff on my lunch break (or another colleague who’d noticed would hide it under their desk) and got really vague about stuff if they asked. The person that copied me got extensions and dyed their hair so it was the same as mine and was obsessed with my food. I was size 8/10 back then and she was perpetually on a diet and used to constantly comment things like “how can you eat that and still be skinny”... I was 19 and still had a fab metabolism (would kill to have it back ). I just avoided hanging out with them outside of work and tbh, the people you work with will notice and judge them - not you. Just try not to let it bother you. The comments on my diet made me feel so uncomfortable esp because I was so young but just be you and try not to give her any info and she should back off hopefully!

 

[Newbie mcnewface]

My husband has a friend like this. Done it for years always copies but buys the next model up etc etc. And then slags off the one he has. I just said to him to say you are going buy something really random and expensive and see if he beats you to it.

 

[SqualorVictoria]

I wouldn't like that either, OP. She should get her own personality! Not really much you can do, just keep her at arms length while still being professional.

 

[Suzesnooze]

I think it’s a common thing and as someone else said it comes from insecurity.

My friend who I worked with years ago had a young girl start in her dept and within weeks she was copying my friends hairstyle, what she ate for lunch, how she dressed. We just laughed about it.

My daughter had a friend at school that always copied off the same shoes, schoolbag, hairstyle.

I wouldn’t get paranoid about it but to this day I still use the phrase ‘single white female’ when people do this! Have you seen that film? Maybe ask her if she’s watched it!

 

[Makeupaddict5]

I will

 

[Horatio]

Wow this is so interesting to me. Shows insecurity I agree but also how you never really know what’s going on with other people. And why do they think you won’t notice ? Or is it that they think using the same lip stuff as you will impress you somehow ?

I had a friend who was less about copying material items but would always parrot my opinions and interests. Which also sounds like a self centred and delusional thing to say but when I say she copied my opinions I mean she’d use the exact same examples and anecdotes I’d said to her to back up points. I’d be like “yeah, I agree... as you know ...?!.”.I never found out if she repeatedly forgot she’d heard it from me and was saying this stuff to anyone? But it happened so many times. Still does in a subtler way as we don’t see as much of each other.

 

[Petulant_vlogger]

Hey everyone,

So I’m happy I’m back to work.
Before lockdown I noticed this girl copies me at work. It’s getting uncomfortable.
I was flattered at first but now it’s weird.
It all sounds really petty. It’s almost someone is mirroring me or morphing into me and I’m genuinely freaked. Haha
Here are some ridiculous examples.

1. Copied my nail shape- she changed hers.
2. Copies my tinted lip moisturiser. Something I’ve worn over 6/8 years. I’ve never even see her wear lip moisturiser. Or whatever it’s called.
3. So I changed my make up routine at work. Yes you got it she did as well.
4. Even my snacks. She even tried to hide it.I offered to go to the shop for her as she was busy. She said no she’s only getting a food item. Guess what she end up hiding in the kitchen with lights off eating the same snack
5. I’ve had breast implant she goes on about that and my lips. She wants to do the same. It’s very subtle but I notice it.

I sound bloody mental there’s more but it’s really freaky. I’m not the most articulate so sorry if I sound nuts myself. But it’s starting to put myself in a mood. As flattery is one thing but damn right coping is weird.
Another girl noticed it at work before lockdown. I haven’t said anything and I’m keeping myself to myself but it’s very bizzare.
We all take ideas from each other I get that’s normal. I can’t explain there’s more little things like she will ask me questions but it’s more so she can get my ideas etc and then implement them with her friends outside of work pretending that’s how she conducts herself. I’m telling you it’s weird.
Now the things I have mentioned are examples. I am not a petty person myself. I love to share information I have nothing to hide. Just it’s got me questioning.

Has anyone else experienced this what have you done ?

haha

I had this at work once. A girl started getting all the same products as me and wearing outfits I had worn. Bought the same bag as me. Started watching all the TV shows I was watching. However, It turned out that she didn't have many friends and was just trying to make a connection with me. Her mum had died when she was young so she didn't know about "girly stuff" like make up and clothes and just decided to try to learn for herself by watching me. We actually ended up being good friends

 

[Oohthedrama]

Feel really sorry for this girl.

Guess what she end up hiding in the kitchen with lights off eating the same snack

That’s incredibly sad, why does she need to hide away like that? She clearly knows you have an issue with her.....
stealing your identity?!?! And snack choices

Let her be, it’s not gonna kill you that girl has filed her nails in the same way as you or uses the same lip balm

you should be flattered.
but hopefully she’ll find someone new to latch onto if she feels she needs help finding her own personality, and they are happy to allow her to “copy” them.

 

[Hinchhater1442]

Out of interest, how old is she? If she’s new to the working world she may just be finding stuff out and discovering herself. Yes it may be stressful or annoying when someone copies you but in hindsight does the same lip balm matter? My best friend copied mine but only cos I raved about how good it was! It’s natural to follow recommendations and things that are ‘in fashion’

 

[mermaidexoxo]

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”
I’d definitely take this as a compliment. She may be really insecure and not really have her own identity. She must really look up to you and admire you, and she may not even realise she’s copying you. The time to really worry if she was trying to befriend your friends/relationships and then pushing you out.
keep your eye on her, although I’m sure she means well.
maybe even buy a cheap item of clothing you think is hideous or something totally not your style, and see if she copies that.